No matter how many times we "swear off men", or how many years a woman has been happily married, there will always be a select handful of men that we women will always love, drop anything for, and cherish. Harry Winston, Karl Lagerfeld, and the man we love most? Manolo Blahnik. Now for those who don't dream of this fantasy lineup and wonder, what shoe could possibly be worth over $500.00? (And that's on the cheap end) Well let me tell you, Manolo's are not just shoes, they are rights of passage. A girl's first Manolo's is a moment they never forget. Ask a member of the 1960's where they were when Kennedy was shot; they can give you an answer. Ask a fashionista what her first pair of Manolo's were, and you will get an answer faster than you can say grassy knoll.

There is something about a Blahnik shoe that garners compliments like no other. Not because anyone but you can tell what labels on your feet, but because Manolo's transcend high style, and never skimp on just enough sex appeal to make inquiring minds wander. Wearing simple black jeans and a tucked in white button down with a pair of pink Manolo's that are simple enough for the office, upon meeting my boyfriend for coffee even HE noticed the shoes. In fact he loved the shoes so much that after telling me how much he liked them in person, sent a text message just to tell me how sexy the shoes actually were. If that's not worth every penny, someone show me what is.

All rights of passage aside, Manolo's truly are walking art pieces. There are embellished, patterned, patent, silk, sling back, pump, Mary Jane and somehow all done better than anyone else in shoe business since Manolo's discovery in 1970. Former Vogue editor-in-chief Diana Vreeland honed in on Manolo's talent, urging him to focus on shoes rather then set making, which is what he had originally intended. Thankfully for women everywhere, Blahnik then went to work. One year later, Ossie Clark, a famous London designer, used his shoes and the rest is history. So in honor of the man mending soles and turning heads for over 30 years, a tribute to Manolo's most famous designs.

The d'Orsay: This design is signature Manolo. Crossing the front of your foot right at your toes creating a sleek silhouette with a four-inch heel making this shoe simply sexy. Manolo has a way of creating a shape, and using it in different ways, patterns and fabrics. The d'Orsay is no different. Red Patent, or Gold Metallic with jeweled accents, or blue satin with crystal embellishments; this shoe comes in a fabric or color to satisfy even the most discerning of buyers.

Mary Janes: Manolo revolutionized the Mary Jane. A shoe that started as a child's staple has now become a resident of Park Avenue. Simple, understated, innocent elegance in a sky-high heel? Proof that Blahnik is a genius. Again, his classic shape comes in a variety of colors and fabrics from snakeskin, to metallic's, patent leathers and animal prints. Here are some favorites: Blue Snakeskin, a Burgundy Buckled Mary Jane, and feminine pink.

Sling Backs: While these sling backs may seem like any other, let me assure you they are not. They cut the toe at such an angle to create toe cleavage, are high enough to elongate your leg yet sophisticated enough to make your CEO's head turn and better yet - be worn by the CEO herself. Again coming in hues for every mood, they come in leather, satin, skin, patent and are comfy enough to run around in all day.

Manolo is a man who has touched women's lives the better. When something this good in life comes your way, you have to do your best to celebrate it; which is why this Manolo tribute was in order. As always, it is the woman wearing the shoe that makes the shoe itself, but if were aiming for fabulous, a breathtaking pair of Manolo's certainly can't hurt.